User's Manual

5.3 CURRENT DRAIN VS. SUPPLY VOLTAGE
The current drain of the module is a function of the supply voltage and the RF output in transmit.
Typical current drain values are shown in the table below:
Receive Mode
Supply Voltage Current Drain
11.0 V 193 mA
12.5 V 193 mA
16.0 V 193 mA
Transmit Mode (5 watt)
Supply Voltage Current Drain
11.0 V 2.2 A
12.5 V 2.3 A
16.0 V 2.3 A
Warning: Although the output power can be set as low as 5 watts, and the module is
certified as low as 5 watt, operation below 5 watts output power is not recommended. At
low power levels, the output power can vary by 50% or more with variations in ambient
temperature.
Transmit Mode (15 watt)
Supply Voltage Current Drain
11.0 V 3.9 A
12.5 V 4.0 A
16.0 V 4.1 A
Transmit Mode (30 watt)
Supply Voltage Current Drain
11.0 V 5.5 A
12.5 V 5.8 A
16.0 V 5.9 A
5.4 DUTY CYCLE/KEY-DOWN LIMITATIONS
The major heat generating component within the modules is the RF power amplifier which has a
maximum temperature limit that should not be exceeded. In addition, the temperature within the
module itself must be kept below the maximum temperature of the reference oscillator to ensure
that regulatory frequency stability limits are observed. As a result, depending upon the RF output
power, the supply voltage, and the ambient temperature, limits upon the average transmit duty
cycle and the maximum continuous transmitter on time exist. These limits are summarized below
for operation in still air:
Power (W) Ambient Temp (C) Duty Cycle (%) Key-Down Time (min)
5 25 100
50 50 6
15 25 100
50 50 6
30 25 75
50 25 6
Blowing air across the large finned heat sink can significantly improve the duty cycle/key-down
times.